Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective George Lawson was shot and killed while arresting two men who had just robbed a laundry on Woodland Avenue in Kansas City. Detective Lawson and other officers were patrolling the area when they were notified of the robbery. When the officers abandoned their patrol vehicle and chased the suspects on foot, a gunfight ensued. Detective Lawson caught up with two of the subjects in the alley at Fourteenth Street and Euclid and fired, but one of the suspects returned fire and struck him in the head and shoulder. He was found in front of 1416 Euclid in Kansas City. Another detective and a patrolman were also wounded in the gunfight. The next night, one suspect was shot and killed by detectives at a local rooming house. Another suspect was arrested a few weeks later. Detective Lawson had served as a law enforcement officer with the Kansas City Police Department for two years and previously worked as a police chauffeur.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-C433564C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Lawson gave the Kansas City Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Lawson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective George E. Lawson is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Kansas City Police Department, 72 of 120 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George E. Lawson's cause is highlighted.
How George E. Lawson Compares
Offender Outcome
One shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George E. Lawson is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George E. Lawson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
119 officers from Kansas City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
